News:

"There is a terrible desperation to the increasingly pathetic rationalizations from the climate denial camp. This comes as no surprise if you take the long view; every single undone paradigm in history has died kicking and screaming, and our current petroleum paradigm 🐉🦕🦖 is no different. The trick here is trying to figure out how we all make it to the new ⚡ paradigm without dying ☠️ right along with the old one, kicking, screaming or otherwise." - William Rivers Pitt

Steve, Electrive like other sites are having trouble translating from Chinese. They are not offering two battery options. They offer 3 trims all with a nominal 47kWh battery; the upper trim gets the top quality battery so the capacity and range are fixed at 47.6kWh and 365km; the lower two trims have a slight variation in capacity and range: 47.6-47.1kWh and 365-351km.

BTW, all the specs, prices and configurator of the G3 are available in their website.

A new video has surfaced showing construction progress at Tesla’s third Gigafactory outside of Shanghai, China. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, the new Gigafactory has already been the source of much contention. Self-proclaimed shorters of TSLA stock have visited the site and shared videos of fields of dirt, empty office buildings, and the like. (Sound familiar?)

Meanwhile, Tesla is working towards standing up the new Gigafactory in record time, with a target of delivering the first Model 3s and Model Ys from the factory in 2020 (and some even speculate it could be in late 2019).

The property was given a flyover by a drone that shows the clearly fenced-off property with not much of anything happening yet on the abysmally saturated field that sits at the edge of a river.

The field has been cleared and leveled in preparation from construction and has just the very beginnings of construction starting in a small corner of the property. A small construction office has been assembled alongside a few containers and some construction equipment.

The video by no means provides certainty that Tesla is on track with construction, but it is exciting to see that things are actually starting to happen in Shanghai at the location of the new Gigafactory. It all starts with cleared, fenced property and an office from which to manage everything.

Tesla stated early on that it believed it would be able to stand up its first Gigafactory outside of the United States in record time, thanks to the lessons it learned at its first Gigafactory outside of Sparks, Nevada. The more stabilized plans will be turbocharged with an injection of Chinese ingenuity and construction expertise that is expected to see the massive factory come online in around 2 years.

The irony is that when the foundations are poured and the walls start going up, that is just the start of the work. The magic all happens on the inside where Tesla’s unique approach to battery assembly, automotive manufacturing, and testing put the magic of Tesla’s Grohmann Automation to practice. It’s the machine that makes the machine. The Alien Dreadnought that we were all warned about is coming to China, and that’s worth getting excited about.

Humungus Cannot wait to see the Time lapse of the Build... Exciting future of Tesla in China. Coupling the learnings of Giga 1 & 2 along with the efficiency & speed of China Construction capabilities, I am expecting this to set some kind of record/s.

agelbert > Humungus

Well said. I think you are spot on!

Recently I read that China poured more comcrete to make buildings and other infrastructure in four years (about a decade or so ago) than was poured by all the other countries in the world over a thirty (plus) year period! 👀

The Chinese do not fool around. When they decide to do something, they do it, as well as anybody else, but much faster. 👍

On today's episode of "In Depth" Zac and Jesse talk about The Impending Big Auto/Oil Implosion! Please consider supporting us on Patreon. We have some pledge rewards you may be interested in, so go check that out. Now You Know! #Bigoil #EVs #NowYouKnow

Mahindra’s Electric Mobility group is taking a leap into electric vehicles with the inauguration of its first Electric Technology Manufacturing Hub in Karnataka, India. The new facility is a tangible step forward in support of Mahindra’s Future of Mobility vision of providing Clean, Connected & Convenient vehicles for customers.

Mahindra ⚡ Treo

The facility will produce Mahindra’s first electric 3-wheelers, the Treo and Treo Yaari, under Mahindra’s +ME (Mahindra Electric) brand. The new 3-wheelers will start at Rs. 1.36 lakhs, including FAME subsidy (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles). Mahindra will also manufacture battery packs, power electronics, and motor assemblies at the new factory, which will increase the total output from +ME to 25,000 units per year.

Mahindra built the new factory with support from the state Government of Karnataka, which came out in force for the inauguration of the new facility. The new facility represents a Rs. 100 crore | US$14 million investment by Mahindra and represents a step into electrification for the company.

“As the pioneers of electric mobility in India, Mahindra is poised to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution while spearheading the endeavor through its range of clean mobility solutions,” Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Chairman Mahindra Electric said. “The manufacturing hub inaugurated today is the next step by Mahindra in the Electric Technology space to increase local value addition and bring affordable EV technology to redefine mobility in India.”

The new hub and factory is a sign that $19 billion Mahindra does see a future that is electric ⚡ for its vehicle division, and that in India, the revolution is being led by 2- and 3-wheel electric ⚡ vehicles. They are better suited for India’s crowded urban centers and their smaller size means they can be built for much more consumer-friendly prices.

“At Mahindra Electric, our aim is to bring about a monumental change in the way India moves by enabling more EV products on the road through our +ME technology solutions,” Mahesh Babu, CEO Mahindra Electric said. “Reiterating our strong faith in EVs we have now invested in technologies that are core to EVs and have set up manufacturing of battery packs, motors, power electronics etc. in our new facility at Bengaluru. The government of Karnataka has been extremely supportive of this initiative.”

Mahindra’s Treo 3-wheelers are built around a lithium-ion ⚡ battery pack that Mahindra says will require no maintenancewhile enabling 170 km per charge. The fully electric ⚡ Treo and the ⚡ Treo Yaari will feature smoother rides and no noxious tailpipe emissions compared to gas-burning 3-wheelers.

At launch, the vehicles will be available in a handful of select dealerships in Bengaluru (Bangalore), the capital of Karnataka state in India and Hyderabad. Mahindra has plans to expand the availability of the vehicles to other cites after the initial rush of the launch. Source: Mahindra via Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International | Image credit: Mahindra

Certainly EU citizens wanted access to less expensive electric bicycles, as the EU manufacturers average over US$5,200 for their products.

Secondary markets such as the USA had tended to receive EU regulation-compliant bikes historically as well for simplicity’s sake, but things are changing as markets grow.

The Portland University Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) did a late 2017 summary of electric and motorized bicycle regulation across all US states and Canadian provinces. Only 42 of the 63 jurisdictions had regulations for electric bicycles, with the rest grandfathering them under low-speed motorized bicycles, and they are all over the map after that. Most require pedals, but some don’t. Speeds vary from no limits to 19 mph / 31 kph to 31 mph / 50 kph. Power output maximums vary from no requirements to 500 Watts to 1,500 Watts compared to the 250 Watts in the EU.

Only California is big enough at 40 million citizens with enough electric bicycle penetration by itself to represent an attractive market for differentiated products from major manufacturers in China and Taiwan. Its 20 mph and 750 Watt limit tend to dominate in the USA where EU regulated products aren’t offered instead.

Some people don’t understand it. How can a little upstart like Tesla be worth more than almost every other automaker in the world? Of course, being that I have an outsized investment in Tesla [TSLA] compared to other stocks, I have a fairly strong opinion on this topic. In summary, I would say that all is right in the world of auto stocks, so I’ll try to explain how this makes sense.

First of all, though, the important thing to remember is that people managing hundreds of billions of dollars have determined that auto company valuations should be where they are right now. The Tesla stock price does not rise and fall primarily on the mood of a few hundred fickle retail investors. The bulk of the stock is owned by gigantic institutional investors. In other words, the misleading narrative that the Tesla stock price is high because of näive, young, Kool Aid–drinking retail investors should be thrown in the trash.

Update: German automaker market caps above were off initially and have been corrected. Also, Toyota’s market cap is far higher than any of the other automaker’s, but it is not included here.

Another thing to consider is that it’s 2018, not 1918. Car companies aren’t just car companies. Conventional car companies have large engine factories on the books, and gasoline/diesel engines are on the way out.

Batteries are key to the electric ⚡ future, and it seems that Tesla is far in the lead with significant, fruitful investments in battery factories, useful IP, and overall battery expertise.

Software is also key to the future of cars, and Tesla again appears to have a leadership position (a big one) when it comes to sophisticated vehicle software.

Every carmaker has its hands in our ride-hailing, carsharing future — which eventually means robotaxis. Some people think GM has the most promise in this regard , some think it’s Volkswagen 🤔, but many certainly think it’s Tesla. That is a gigantic market and the leaders will be making a few fortunes, which means they’ll be worth a few fortunes. Uber was worth $72 billion in February and an IPO might put it at $120 billion. Supposedly, Tesla’s potential “Network” for self-driving carsharing isn’t valued by most Wall Street 😈 analysts. If it really isn’t included much in Tesla’s market cap, there’s plenty of room for further growth in the coming years. If it is included a bit in valuations, that further helps to explain why Tesla is already above Daimler, BMW, GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Honda, Nissan, Renault, Hyunda, Kia, and others in market cap.

One more thing to consider briefly is that Tesla is hot, hot, hot among young people. Kids love Tesla, teenagers love Tesla, and young adults love Tesla. This brand strength among future car buyers will be powerful starting in 5–10 years. Stay tuned for that. 🧐

Back to today, the market valuations of Tesla, Daimler, and a few other top players at the close of market today were (in billions):

Posted by: AGelbert

I disagree on a few of your points. for one thing, the maintenance on the Volt is quite low. Oil changes once a year. Maintenance on the electric motor pretty much zero, in my experience. Batteries last something close to the usable life of the car. At least 200K, maybe more.

Rather than "neither fish nor fowl", I'd call it the best of both worlds. Even a Tesla is a carriage without a horse, if the batteries are dead. For people who drive longer distances, this is a real problem. And fast chargers are not just on every street corner either.

And the the Volt was never a true serial hybrid anyway. It has three modes, one of which does (minimally) charge the batteries from the gas engine, like most other hybrids. I had a Prius, which I gave to my daughter. It was a great car, but the Volt is a better car. That's about the best recommendation I can give. Better than a Prius, in my view. That's real praise.

And I'm not just saying that because I bought one. I might well buy a Bolt too, at some point.

So Eddie here is a good question for you. How many people can understand and quantify the difference between a hybrid and the volt... I think gm is abandoning car production in north America because they make much higher profit margins pushing trucks and crossovers with lots of bells and whistles in this market. I do stand corrected the sales numbers for the volt are good I looked them up. How many years until electric subsidies run out? Could that be a reason? Ag I broke my own rule and responded on your thread... for that I am sorry...

Good. See that you don't break your "rule" again. It's over for the fosssil fuel powered CRAPmobiles, whether you want to believe that or not. GM and Ford are dead corporations walking unless they get their heads out of their CRAPmobile favoring asses. If they had spent a TENTH of the money they spend on advertising CRAPmobiles over the last TWO decades on advertising EVs and PHEVs, those vehicles would now DOMINATE the market. Yeah, I know, you can't wrap tour head around that "concept". Fine, keep supporting your BC pipeline and tar sands CRAP because, uh, "that is profitable", NOT!

My wife has ended up with the second Volt I bought last summer. So far I think the onboard computer is saying the hybrid's gas consumption amounts to 169 MPG. She is driving it for her daly commute, in fairly heavy traffic most of the time.

The old Volt (with just over 30 miles of range in most weather) never did better than about 100 MPG. That extra 20 miles of battery range has made the Volt from a good car into a great car, for people who still need a car that can run on gas, which is most people who do a lot of driving. The decision Chevy made to axe the Volt really breaks my heart, and we've discussed buying another before they're all gone.

I'm looking forward to the all electric cars, from a standpoint of reducing carbon, but i have my doubts they'll ever build a car that will equal the Volt of today.

The Volt is a great car. The GM decision to axe the car caused me to be so angry I could spit. This is what I posted at Cleantechnica forum on that issue:

To GM's plan to stop building the Volt, I will let Obi Wan say it ALL:

RIP: GM Will Close 5 Assembly Plants In North America, Eliminate 15,000 Jobs, & Cease Production Of Chevy Volt

Autonomous Vehicles The mournful cry from Detroit that "Nobody wants to buy an electric car" is partially correct. Relatively few cons…

I can see the justification. The specs for the volt were laid down quite some time ago. The bolt is proving very popular. battery capacity has increased as well as peoples acceptance of all electric since they designed the volt. Its neither fish nor fowl having the maintenance requirements of two cars. If you want gas backup the hybrid model is a more efficient cheaper way to get it, if you want the electric features the all electric is more efficient... The engine charges battery, full size electric runs car method has advantages but the increased cost of it didn't work out and its appeal was limited. I hope they use the capacity to build more full electrics like they say they are going to... We shall see. And again the bolt is awesome I wish it worked better for my climate and circumstances...

I disagree on a few of your points. for one thing, the maintenance on the Volt is quite low. Oil changes once a year. Maintenance on the electric motor pretty much zero, in my experience. Batteries last something close to the usable life of the car. At least 200K, maybe more.

Rather than "neither fish nor fowl", I'd call it the best of both worlds. Even a Tesla is a carriage without a horse, if the batteries are dead. For people who drive longer distances, this is a real problem. And fast chargers are not just on every street corner either.

And the the Volt was never a true serial hybrid anyway. It has three modes, one of which does (minimally) charge the batteries from the gas engine, like most other hybrids. I had a Prius, which I gave to my daughter. It was a great car, but the Volt is a better car. That's about the best recommendation I can give. Better than a Prius, in my view. That's real praise.

And I'm not just saying that because I bought one. I might well buy a Bolt too, at some point.

My wife has ended up with the second Volt I bought last summer. So far I think the onboard computer is saying the hybrid's gas consumption amounts to 169 MPG. She is driving it for her daly commute, in fairly heavy traffic most of the time.

The old Volt (with just over 30 miles of range in most weather) never did better than about 100 MPG. That extra 20 miles of battery range has made the Volt from a good car into a great car, for people who still need a car that can run on gas, which is most people who do a lot of driving. The decision Chevy made to axe the Volt really breaks my heart, and we've discussed buying another before they're all gone.

I'm looking forward to the all electric cars, from a standpoint of reducing carbon, but i have my doubts they'll ever build a car that will equal the Volt of today.

The Volt is a great car. The GM decision to axe the car caused me to be so angry I could spit. This is what I posted at Cleantechnica forum on that issue:

To GM's plan to stop building the Volt, I will let Obi Wan say it ALL:[/size]

RIP: GM Will Close 5 Assembly Plants In North America, Eliminate 15,000 Jobs, & Cease Production Of Chevy Volt

Autonomous Vehicles The mournful cry from Detroit that "Nobody wants to buy an electric car" is partially correct. Relatively few cons…

I can see the justification. The specs for the volt were laid down quite some time ago. The bolt is proving very popular. battery capacity has increased as well as peoples acceptance of all electric since they designed the volt. Its neither fish nor fowl having the maintenance requirements of two cars. If you want gas backup the hybrid model is a more efficient cheaper way to get it, if you want the electric features the all electric is more efficient... The engine charges battery, full size electric runs car method has advantages but the increased cost of it didn't work out and its appeal was limited. I hope they use the capacity to build more full electrics like they say they are going to... We shall see. And again the bolt is awesome I wish it worked better for my climate and circumstances...

Yes, we shall see. But, while we are waiting to see, I suggest you look at the total number of different vehicles GM makes, all with internal combustion engines. Based on your logic, it was "uneconomical" to make so many different models with basically the same type of engine and drive train. I don't think so.

As to the sales of the Volt, it was selling MUCH BETTER than several other models that GM will CONTINUE to make, so your argument that the Volt wasn't "competitive" with the Bolt is not reality based. Both the Bolt and the Volt ARE selling quite well, thank you very much.

The logic that DOES APPLY in this situation is that the Koch Brothers 🦕🦖 are in this up to their fossil fuel defending necks . I posted a video from Tthe Real News here that evidences that the ending Volt production does not have SQUAT to do with shutting all the plants that GM wants to shut down, as an influential member of the GM workforce in those plants made quite clear in the video (see below).

The happy talk from GM that is, in so many clever and duplictous words, formulated to lull us into believing the BULLSHIT that they "plan to build lots of EVs in the future" is the typical sucker play the fossil fuelers 🐉🦕🦖 are (IN)FAMOUS for. First they make excuses about not making the EV NOW because, uh, "EVs aren't ready for prime time" but they are gonna make lots of them soon, real soon.

A decade goes by and then they say, uh, well, we decided not to make them because, uh, "they weren't competitive, they were too costly, they were inefficient, etc." while they continued to go out of their way (see the first EV that GM made back in the 1990's) to make sure EV availability is as limited as possible. THAT is the PLAN, although they will, of course, never admit it.

The NEXT STEP in the PLAN for ALL subsidies for EVs and PHEVs to DISAPPEAR in the good old USA . They DID SOMETHING SIMILAR with electric trolleys in cities all over the USA from the early 20th century too around 1945. They bought them all up and proceeded to NOT maintain them, screw up the schedules, etc. After they were all replaced by horrendously polluting diesel powered busses, the fossil fuelers claimed that electric trolleys were "not competitive".

This is just another HYDROCARBON HELLSPAWN 🦕🦖 SCAMto kill EVs in favor of the CRAPmobiles that run on Fossil fuels, PERIOD, FULL STOP.

All that said, GM will rue the day they made this incredibly stupid decision. China (and India, but especially China) already is the vehicle manufacturing powerhouse of the planet. China is going FULLY into EVs. They will destroy GM, or absorb them. It's OVER for the Crapmobiles.

GM's decision to stop making the Volt has, IMHO, absolutely everything to do with Hydrocarbon Hellspawn SKULLDUGGERY funded by the Koch Brothers, PERIOD, FULL STOP. They've been AT THIS LATEST SKULLDUGGERY for a couple of YEARS (at least).

Posted by: AGelbert

My wife has ended up with the second Volt I bought last summer. So far I think the onboard computer is saying the hybrid's gas consumption amounts to 169 MPG. She is driving it for her daly commute, in fairly heavy traffic most of the time.

The old Volt (with just over 30 miles of range in most weather) never did better than about 100 MPG. That extra 20 miles of battery range has made the Volt from a good car into a great car, for people who still need a car that can run on gas, which is most people who do a lot of driving. The decision Chevy made to axe the Volt really breaks my heart, and we've discussed buying another before they're all gone.

I'm looking forward to the all electric cars, from a standpoint of reducing carbon, but i have my doubts they'll ever build a car that will equal the Volt of today.

The Volt is a great car. The GM decision to axe the car caused me to be so angry I could spit. This is what I posted at Cleantechnica forum on that issue:

To GM's plan to stop building the Volt, I will let Obi Wan say it ALL:

RIP: GM Will Close 5 Assembly Plants In North America, Eliminate 15,000 Jobs, & Cease Production Of Chevy Volt

Autonomous Vehicles The mournful cry from Detroit that "Nobody wants to buy an electric car" is partially correct. Relatively few cons…

As with conventionally powered models, electric vehicles are rated for their energy efficiency – and in this case their operating range on a charge – by the Environmental Protection Agency. If you’re already an EV owner, you probably have noticed that your power consumption and/or range doesn’t always jibe with its official ratings. As automakers usually say in ads that reference a vehicle’s fuel economy, “your mileage may vary.”

A big reason for this is the manner in which vehicles are tested. Contrary to what you might expect, they’re not driven on the open road. Rather, a vehicle’s energy consumption is determined in a laboratory using a standardized procedure that’s mandated by federal law.

TEST PROCEDURES 👨‍🔬

Each vehicle tested is “driven” on a device called a dynamometer. Think of it as a treadmill for cars. While the engine and transmission drive the wheels, the vehicle never moves, just the rollers upon which the wheels are placed.

A professional driver runs the vehicle through multiple standardized driving schedules to simulate city and highway motoring. The basic city-driving program replicates a rush-hour stop-and-go driving experience with frequent idling. The highway circuit is designed to emulate rural and interstate freeway driving at higher speeds, without making any stops.

An electric vehicle is tested after being parked overnight, and with the battery fully charged. It’s then operated through successive city or highway driving cycles until the battery becomes depleted. It’s then brought back to a full charge. A technician determines the vehicle’s energy consumption by dividing the kilowatt-hours of energy needed to replenish the battery by the number of miles driven. The latter is also used to determine an EV’s estimated operating range on a charge.

To help consumers compare the energy consumption of electric cars with those that run on fossil fuel, the EPA created a miles-per-gallon equivalent measurement, called “MPGe.” This is calculated based on a conversion factor of 33.705 kilowatt-hours of electricity equaling one gallon of gasoline.

For 2018, the EPA’s most energy-efficient EV is the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, with a rating of 150 MPGe in city driving and 122 on the highway. The next-highest 2018 models are the Tesla Model 3 Long Range at 136/123 MPGe, the Chevrolet Bolt EV at 128/110 MPGe, and the Volkswagen e-Golf at 126/111 MPGe.

FUDGE FACTORS 👀

Unfortunately, there are elements inherent in the EPA’s testing procedures that tend to skew the ratings. For starters, vehicles are tested without a full load of passengers, cargo and options aboard. All else being equal, the heavier a vehicle’s rolling weight, the more energy is needed to reach and maintain a given speed.

Also, the tests are conducted indoors at room temperature. An electric car’s range tends to suffer when subjected to extremely cold or hot weather. This is both because of the adverse effects of high and low temperatures on a battery’s charge, and the drain caused by operating the heater and air conditioning.

What’s more, a given motorist’s driving habits can also affect an EV’s energy consumption. Lead-footed acceleration and driving at higher speeds will tend to drain the battery faster than will maintaining a smooth and steady pace. Driving on under-inflated tires will also cost an EV owner additional kilowatt-hours of electricity.

READING AN EV’S ‘FUEL ECONOMY’ STICKER 🧐

The federal government requires automakers to include information on a vehicle’s energy consumption, along with pricing and other information on the so-called “Monroney” sticker that’s posted on every new light-duty vehicle sold in the U.S. It’s named for Almer Stillwell “Mike” Monroney, a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma who sponsored the Automobile Disclosure Act of 1958 that mandated the use of price stickers.

In the case of electric vehicles, the Monroney sticker prominently displays the MPGe estimates for city, highway and combined city/highway driving. The latter assumes 55 percent city driving and 45 percent on the highway. The sticker also shows the number of kilowatt-hours of electricity that’s needed to run the vehicle for 100 miles (this is expressed as kWh/100 mi). The EPA says this measurement is actually more meaningful when comparing costs and energy consumption between EVs than the MPGe rating.

The sticker also notes, on average, how many miles the vehicle can operate on a charge, and how long it takes to fully replenish a discharged battery using a 240-volt (Level 2) charger. You can expect the time to typically double when using a standard household outlet.

The window sticker further notes the energy consumption range for other models in the vehicle’s size class. You’ll also find the average annual cost to keep the car or truck running, based on 15,000 miles driven at a predetermined price per kilowatt-hour for electricity. It also shows how much more or less that amount is compared to the average vehicle over a five-year ownership period. These numbers will of course, differ for a given driver depending on local energy rates.

The sticker also provides ratings on a 1-10 basis for a vehicle’s smog-related tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. Since full electric vehicles produce neither of these they automatically receive a rating of 10.

You’ll also find a “QR” code that can be scanned by a smartphone and takes users to a website where they can enter information about their commutes and driving habits to get a better estimate of their energy consumption and costs.

The above information can also be found on the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov website for easy comparison among competing models, and it’s available for all current and past plug-in and conventionally powered vehicles.

Be sure to check out other helpful information on electric vehicles here on MYEV.com, which is also the Internet’s prime – and free – marketplace for buying and selling EVs.

Posted by: AGelbert

Agelbert NOTE: The driver knows how to drive in snow but deliberately did all the wrong, dumb driving things, when driving in snow up and down hills, in order to test the Tesla Model 3 performance.

The comments are educational and instructive. 👍 I am experienced in driving in HEAVY ❄❄❄ snow conditions. What they say about tires being of prime importance is correct. However, AWD outperforms even the best winter tires in severe icy conditions.

AWD is better than FWD. FWD is better than RWD. The Subaru Forester, because of its AWD X-Mode electronics, is the best ICE vehicle out there for snow and ice driving conditions. I've seen videos of a Forester going throgh two feet deep mud as well. In those videos, ALL the other FWD and AWD vehicles got stuck.

That said, electronics on EVs are more time responsive in controlling the wheels than the best Gas Guzzler AWD electronics out there. As to the auto-wipers, I agree that they suck.

Posted by: AGelbert

According to a recent Bloomberg article, we are entering a stage of the final 20 years of high diversity of alternative powertrains. In the end, only all-electric cars will survive. The hybrids and plug-in hybrids are expected to die by 2040.

Well, that’s more or less right as hybrids and plug-in hybrids were always considered a middle solution to full EVs until all-electric becomes more affordable with longer range.

We already see that most plug-in car sales are all-electric and most best-selling models are electric (China, U.S., globally). In the U.S., BEVs took over PHEVs by a 3:1 ratio in Q3 and soon are expected to eat into conventional hybrids too. Perhaps electrics already are.

All-electric cars are getting more affordable, offer longer range, have charging times improved, infrastructure has proliferated, design and features are compelling while acceleration becomes best-in-class. Purchase of BEV is also perceived as a bigger social statement than hybrids.

One of the biggest advantages of BEVs is their simplicity in terms of service, compared to modern ICE, which are very complex.

Quote

“A full ⚡ electric is a much more elegant solution,” said Gil Tal, director of the Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California, Davis. “It’s very simple to build and very low maintenance.” In retrospect, he contends, plug-in hybrids “are just the training wheels” in the industry’s preparation for electric cars.”

Currently, many manufacturers plan to introduce a lot more all-electric models than hybrid/plug-in hybrid models. In the U.S., the Chevrolet Volt will come to an end in 2019.

Quote

“The death of the hybrid, while seemingly inevitable, may be long and slow. A spike in gas prices during the next few years may even draw it out. “I can see them having a role until 2040,” Tal said. “But the problem will always be [that] it’s a more expensive solution, having two drivetrains.”

On the other hand, PHEVs still might be needed to convince petrol heads🐷 that electric ⚡ drive works and to familiarize them with the tech. But yes, eventually PHEVs will die off. As the title states…it’s inevitable.

Had I been in that thing when the pickup truck that front ended me drove into oncoming traffic last week I'd have been killed. As it is I'm uninjured. Electronics batteries and motors are all available but somebody needs to do more than slap the components together to make a solution that works. Three wheeled electric carts are nothing new. This one is wrapped in a light plastic shell. That plastic might shatter in Alaska temperatures. I'd check into what it is made of before I got one.

I've been to the factory, very nice machines. He has clients all over the world, including Mother Russia. It gets cold there too. I wouldn't take it on the roads currently, I would use the bike paths.

RE

Yep. Gotta pick your spots. Might be fine for local travel, but on a highway? Not likely.I found myself parked beside a woman who had a Smart ForTwo car last weekend. Really cute. I could not resist asking her about it. She laughed and was very gracious, said she gets that a lot. Said she loved riding it around town, and that it was a perfect commuting vehicle for in town trips. But that she would never take it on an out of town trip.

As AG noted about Contrary's wreck, when you're on the interstate and get rear ended by a drunk going over 100, you want to be wrapped in a steel cage.

I may have come off as negative but I'm making an observation. Being negative is not my intent. First look at that wheel. That wheel is available as part of an electronic drive train that you can get from China on Ali-Baba. All the separate components are available on the Chinese market at good prices. I don't say the components themselves are good or bad. Their quality actually improves every year. This whole e-scooter market phenomena in all its forms has happened because of Chinese lithium battery technology. I actually like it and it is not negative to just see it for what it is. Understanding how all the kit parts work together allows me to understand the limitations and capabilities.

As good as the plastic shell may be this is still somebodies tinker toy. A collection of parts. Remember, I'm building one too, My bike is the same technology. I got some battery packs yesterday. I almost have as many batteries as I need. Next I mount them. I'll be breaking open a pack from some kind of medical equipment today and it may have 15 batteries. If they are all good I'm almost to my goal.

Another of my wheels. I have three. You can read the milli-amphour capacity of some of my tested and charged cells on the table.

Nice work! I agree that small EVs are, of course, a collection of parts. However, I find the term "tinker toy" to be inappropriately demeaning of a very useful vehicle. Yes, it may be overpriced from your engineering knowledge base standpoint. But, most people do not build their own vehicles, no matter how much they could save by building them. So, I think these small EVs, safety issues and all, will have a greater and greater market share of privately owned vehicles as time goes by.

Here's a slightly bigger model EV from the Z-Electric Micro folks. I like it because you can put a LOT of groceries in the back.

⚡ T3-5D

The T3-5D is the continuing extension of our T3 line of enclosed trike vehicles. From listening to feedback, we added extra doors and leg room for the rear passengers as well as a rear cargo door and fold flat rear seats. We made it go faster and farther and kept it all in a small frame with full hand controls for accessibility. Everything great about the T3-1 and more.

Quick Specs

Top Speed ------------------40 mphwith lead battery 47 mph with lithium

The T3-5 Door gets its name from its 4 side doors an its rear opening cargo door. With its fold flat rear seats, this little vehicle can haul an impressive amount. The rear cargo door is 39.4 inches wide and 37.8 inches high. When the metal floor is folded flat, the area is 39.4 wide X 43 inches long.

Posted by: AGelbert

The T3-5D is the continuing extension of our T3 line of enclosed trike vehicles. From listening to feedback, we added extra doors and leg room for the rear passengers as well as a rear cargo door and fold flat rear seats. We made it go faster and farther and kept it all in a small frame with full hand controls for accessibility. Everything great about the T3-1 and more.

The T3-5 Door gets its name from its 4 side doors an its rear opening cargo door. With its fold flat rear seats, this little vehicle can haul an impressive amount. The rear cargo door is 39.4 inches wide and 37.8 inches high. When the metal floor is folded flat, the area is 39.4 wide X 43 inches long.

• The silicate battery last 2-4 years in operation. That is one third of the lithium, but they are very low cost at only $575 at 2018 prices. They are also extremely easy to change in less than 1.5 hours. Using them allows a customer a lower cost of initial purchase, with a low cost maintenance event every 2 or 3 years.

► Special variants are available for disabled people allowing the seat to move much further back for entry and custom modifications as customers may desire.

SAFETY

► High back front seat

► seat belts on all seats

► disc brakes on all wheels

► extremely bright lights all around for see and be seen safety

► Battery mass all forward of the rear axle and centrally distributed for vehicle balance

► With the battery mass at or below the axle height, and the motor mass behind the rear axle, the weight does not greatly transfer forward in hard braking. The resulting CG also helps to keep the trike planted and not feel tippy.

Posted by: AGelbert

You are right, RE. The T3-1 Micro is a very nice machine. Expect the range to be goosed considerably as sales pick up. Battery technology is advancing in leaps and bounds. ✨ Even with present technology, it is child's play to double the range of this vehicle, simply because it is so light to begin with. 🌞

Posted by: AGelbert

However, that is already happening in Germany and the Netherlands. 👍 It is being done.

Then how do they move freight? The draft from 18 wheelers barrel-assing down the road like they own it is enough to knock a Smart car off the road.

There are two issues here that you are addressing, not just one. Assuming you have no problem with low weight bearing companion lanes being built next to every Interstate Highway in the USA, the main threat to the small EVs and motorcicles and EV or ICE trikes using these lanes is the drunk driver on an average 4 wheeled vehicle, not the 18 wheeler. Truck drivers, as RE will undoubtedly testify, have a much better track record for safety than the average American driver.

True, the 18 wheelers are still out there and if they stray into a light vehicle lane, they can squeeze or squash them like bugs. It is a matter of probabilities. To reduce the probability of heavy vehicles, such as 18 wheelers, splattering light vehicles all over the place, automatic driving software, now being tested in Colorado, Arizona and Califiornia, is what we need to lower the probabilty of freight moving vehicles killing humans in light vehicles to close to zero. As you know, since the 1940's (at least), even before all the interstates were built, the USA was crisscrossed with "Truck routes". These roads were, in theory, made to handle the weight of freight without breaking apart. Cars generally stayed off of them and ran on roads that were not as beefed up for freight loads.

All that changed when the Interstates were built. BUT, as RE will also testify, the 18 wheelers are well known for destroying Interstate roads from overloading. Yes, they have load checking stations, but a lot of cheating goes on.

The point is that the ability of a road to handle weight, not the frequency of accidents where a heavy vehicle destroys a smaller one, has dictated what roads were built and where people drive. I am saying that a light, cheap lane system, plus the autopilot features on many vehicles, including the really heavy ones carrying freight, is the best approach to saving people money while polluting less.

So, the freight carrying vehicle is not the greatest threat. The greatest threat is the crazy/drunk/asleep/coked up driver. Yes, that is true. The only way to deal with this threat cost effectively, without going full fascist on the driving public, is to put barriers along the companion lanes. The cost of all that infrastructure will be more than compensated for by the savings in fuel and lack of pollution from the massively expanded use of small EVs.

Friend, we are really, really out of time on these transportation issues. I understand where you are at. My wife is in exactly the same place. But frankly, I think we are doomed with our current transportation habits.

Had I been in that thing when the pickup truck that front ended me drove into oncoming traffic last week I'd have been killed. As it is I'm uninjured. Electronics batteries and motors are all available but somebody needs to do more than slap the components together to make a solution that works. Three wheeled electric carts are nothing new. This one is wrapped in a light plastic shell. That plastic might shatter in Alaska temperatures. I'd check into what it is made of before I got one.

A Trike Electric with knobby tires makes things a little better. This one from Z-electric is only $7K.

I've been to the factory, very nice machines. He has clients all over the world, including Mother Russia. It gets cold there too. I wouldn't take it on the roads currently, I would use the bike paths.

RE

Yep. Gotta pick your spots. Might be fine for local travel, but on a highway? Not likely.I found myself parked beside a woman who had a Smart ForTwo car last weekend.

Smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet

Really cute. I could not resist asking her about it. She laughed and was very gracious, said she gets that a lot. Said she loved riding it around town, and that it was a perfect commuting vehicle for in town trips. But that she would never take it on an out of town trip.

As AG noted about Contrary's wreck, when you're on the interstate and get rear ended by a drunk going over 100, you want to be wrapped in a steel cage.

True, but the solution to this inertia of weighty four wheeled (and up) vehicles making hamburger out of humans in light EVs is to restrict the heavy vehicles. The fact is that light vehicles do not wear out roads. SO, companion, cheaply made lanes EXCLUSIVELY limited to LIGHT vehicles is the way to go. Of course the car manufacturers will be dead set against this because they won't make as much money selling smaller, lighter, environmentally friendly, extremely economical vehicles. 👎

However, that is already happening in Germany and the Netherlands. 👍 It is being done.

It could be done here CHEAPLY. It would save humungous amounts of money in fuel not needed, road repairs not needed and pollution not spewed.

Yeah, I know, that makes too much sense to ever be implemented in the "Rational" USA.

The Willard Street Inn, Burlington, Vermont, rents out Tern GSD bikes to enable couples to enjoy a nearby scenic bike path – the bikes can be loaded with a picnic featuring a selection of locally-sourced delicacies.TERN

Bicycle maker Tern has launched a “bikes-for-business” program to promote its GSD – “get stuff done” – electric cargobike. The Taiwanese company with international staffers and global distribution is aiming to pique the interest of hotels and short-haul delivery firms. The program – trialled with a number of small businesses already using GSDs – includes cloud-based fleet management as well as customization options, including corporate color schemes and branded fascias. The corporate program will be delivered through local bike shops.

“E-cargobikes are a great alternative for some 20 percent of all delivery vans currently operating in large cities,” concluded a recent Dutch study. The 121-page City Logistic: Light and Electric report argues that cities are being strangled by trucks and vans – and one of the solutions is for businesses to switch at least some of their “last-mile deliveries” to electric cargobikes. Most of these are long and somewhat cumbersome. Not so for Tern’s GSD – this is billed as a “compact” e-cargobike, yet it can still haul 378-lbs, no sweat.

The $4,000 small-wheel GSD is a one-size-fits-all machine, and unlike a motor vehicle it doesn’t require insurance or a license to operate.

“More businesses on bikes is something that is essential for the health of our planet,” said Tern CEO Josh Hon.

Corporate-branded GSD on trial with Deliveroo.TERN

“But it’s also great for the people working in those businesses who’ll get more fresh air and exercise. And it’ll be a really good thing for dealers who can start to build a recurring revenue model for their shops.”

Vermonters like bikes. Yes, the folks in Burlington probably like e-bikes too. BUT, Vermont has real wet, slushy, messy winters. Winters here last a long, long time. Even with global warming the rainy messy mix we get makes biking a challenge. I actually did drive a pedal bicycle to a job I had parking cars at the airport (in winter) way back in 1998 for about a month. It sucked. It was slippery as all getout in winter and the cars made life rather difficult. If the young folks go for that, good for them. I'm too old for that.

A Trike Electric with knobby tires makes things a little better. This one from Z-electric is only $7K. I may buy it in the spring. It has a VIN number and you can license it for road use too.

Had I been in that thing when the pickup truck that front ended me drove into oncoming traffic last week I'd have been killed. As it is I'm uninjured. Electronics batteries and motors are all available but somebody needs to do more than slap the components together to make a solution that works. Three wheeled electric carts are nothing new. This one is wrapped in a light plastic shell. That plastic might shatter in Alaska temperatures. I'd check into what it is made of before I got one.

For those who think they must drive an 8,000 pound PLUS tank to feel safe, I understand, but that is not, or has ever been, the issue with small economic vehicles. So, it is irrelevant to the subject of e-bikes. Surly's wife was saved by driving in an SUV (Subaru Forester). That does not mean, K-Dog, that these small electric vehicles (The E-Tuk sells in Colorado and is used to taxi tourists around - they also sell them for small businesses like this coffee serving model ) are not selling well AND are part of the Renewable Energy SOLUTION.

November 28th, 2018 by Michael Barnard

SNIPPET:

Geographically, there aren’t a lot of surprises. As this chart of e-bike manufacturing revenue by country shows, China by itself is the biggest manufacturer of e-bikes, followed by the USA and Taiwan. That last comes with a political wrinkle, however. China considers Taiwan to be part of China, while Taiwan considers itself independent. Taiwan, or the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to the People’s Republic of China in 1971, but still maintains official diplomatic relations to 16 countries and informal diplomatic relations with most of them.

Why this is interesting is that the two largest revenue firms for e-bikes globally are both from Taiwan: Giant and Merida. This chart shows the top 15 firms by estimated e-bike revenue.

here are a couple of additional points worth noting about this chart. First, the majority of firms in the e-bike market today are making less than US$100 million specifically from e-bikes. Giant and Merida, at an estimated US$170 million, are more than double the size of the next largest individual competitor. They are well-positioned to continue to dominate. Second, while most companies have a relatively limited number of models across a handful of categories, the number of variants within models is very large, especially for smaller pure-play Chinese manufacturers.

Posted by: AGelbert

Concurrent with its grand debut at the LA Motor Show, Rivian released a set of videos showcasing some of the abilities and features of its all-new R1T electric pickup truck.

SNIPPET:

Quote

The R1T electric ⚡ truck is perhaps the most exciting entrant in the plug-in segment since the Tesla Model 3. Though its launch date is still a couple of years off, this electric machine really gets our hearts pumping.

Why? Well, it’s a truck and here in the U.S. trucks sell incredibly well. Beyond its truckness, the R1T is a long-range electric (perhaps capable of going over 400 miles per charge in the right configuration), it tows, hauls and has all sorts of really slick features.

Rivian says the R1T’s largest battery pack holds 180kWh of energy and delivers 400-plus miles of range. Additionally, Rivian will offer 105 kWh and 135 kWh configurations, with a base starting price estimated at just over $60K. The top spec truck will pump out something like 800 HP.

Posted by: AGelbert

Must watch interview for those interested in the electric ⚡ Chevy Camaro eCOPO concept

Quote

Like Chevy’s crate engines, the electric ⚡ crate motor utilized in the Chevy Camaro eCOPO concept will be versatile. “General Motors’ Crate engines have been the core of our performance line. So we wanted to say, what could we do for the next generation of crate motors? So we developed a package that is a direct replacement for a small block Chevy. (…) The flex plate bolts right on, bolts right up to a Turbo 400. Any GM transmission this bolts right up, torque converter pulls up to it.”

Posted by: AGelbert

Last spring, when the US Environmental Protection Agency first proposed rolling back the fuel economy standards put in place by the Obama administration on its way out the door, Colorado governor John Hickenlooper saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to take action. He issued an executive order directing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to establish a Colorado Low Emissions Vehicle program that incorporates the requirements of the program developed by the California Air Resources Board.

Colorado governor John HickelooperUnder the Clean Air Act, only California has been granted a waiver that permits it to impose more stringent vehicle emissions rules than the federal standard. But other states are free to adopt the California rules if they wish to. So far, a dozen states and the District of Columbia have done so. As the result of the governor Hickenlooper’s executive order, Colorado has now become the 13th state to sign on to the CARB initiatives.

At the time his executive order was promulgated, Hickenlooper said, “As the highest-elevation state in the country, Colorado has unmatched natural beauty and world-class recreational opportunities, but it also creates unique challenges. Our communities, farms and wilderness areas are susceptible to air pollution and a changing climate. It’s critical for Coloradans’ health and Colorado’s future that we meet these challenges head on.” It should be noted that Colorado already has one of the highest EV incentives of any US state — a $5,000 state tax credit.

The governor made it plain his order was aimed directly at protecting the residents of Colorado from the emissions rollback being proposed by the federal government and vigorously supported by US automakers. “Colorado has a choice. This executive order calls for the state to adopt air quality standards that will protect our quality of life in Colorado. Low-emissions vehicles are increasingly popular with consumers and are better for our air. Every move we make to safeguard our environment is a move in the right direction.”

Next Gen Transportation reports the Air Pollution Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has now completed the necessary public hearings and unanimously approved a new regulation entitled Colorado Low Emission Automobile Regulation (CLEAR) which adopts the provisions of the California low emissions program. That means automakers now will have to build cars that comply with California rules for one more state. Combined, all those states and Washington, DC account for about 40% of the US new car market.

The new rules are a “cost-effective and sensible backstop” for Colorado in the event of the federal rollback actually takes place. It still faces a number of legal challenges from consumer advocacy groups who believe asphyxiating the citizens of the United States with particulates and other toxic pollutants is a poor policy choice. It is also a blatant and deliberate thumb in the eye of Donald Trump, America’s hateful and hate filled alleged president.

The road toward a federal fuel economy rollback just got a tougher thanks to the courage of Governor Hickenlooper and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Little by little, the zero emissions revolution in transportation is spreading to boats and ships. Perhaps electric transoceanic container ships are not in the offing any time soon, but from personal watercraft to the ferries and cargo ships that ply coastal waters, the change to electric motors instead of diesel engines is happening quite quickly.

Torqueedo Ups The Ante For Pleasure Craft

Founded in 2005, Torqueedo is the leader in electric propulsion for pleasure craft — from tiny trolling motors suitable for use on kayaks to lusty inboard motors for yachts. At this moment, the highest expression of what is possible in electric yachting is the Dasher from Hinckley, the perfect boat for admirers of Jay Gatsby and the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock.

The Dasher features twin Torqueedo motors rated at 50 kW each. For 2019, however, the company has doubled the output of its top of the line motors to 100 kW. [Note — horsepower is an inexact way of measuring the output of electric motors. For those who are still frightened of the metric system, multiply kW by 1.3 to get an approximation of the horsepower equivalent.] The new motors are available in low rpm configuration for displacement hull boats as well as a high rpm version for boats with a planing hull.

The greater output requires an increase in battery power as well. The company’s latest Deep Blue battery features an energy density of 144 Wh per kilogram. At 40 kWh, it has 30% more capacity in the same footprint as the previous version. The company’s range of 24 volt batteries to power the companies range of small electric outboard motors also benefit from the 30% increase in energy density.

“By delivering more power, more energy, more silence and more convenience, Torqeedo honors its commitment to improve customers’ boating experiences and advance marine electric mobility every year,” says Christoph Ballin, CEO of Torqeedo.

Leclanché Batteries For European Ferries And Freighters

Leclanché is the largest battery manufacturer you have never heard of. Headquartered in Switzerland, its battery cells are produced in Germany. It has been selected by Kongsborg Marine to supply 45 MWh of batteries for an electric coastal freighter and 8 passenger ferries in Europe. YARA, a fertilizer company, is building YARA Birkeland, the world’s first autonomous and electric coastal freighter with zero emissions. Using sea lanes instead of roads, it will eliminate 40,000 deliveries a year by diesel-powered trucks.

Grimaldi is one of world’s largest operators of roll on/roll off cargo and passenger ferries in the world. Its newest vessels, known as Grimaldi Green 5th Generation ships, will feature hybrid power — diesels while at sea and electric in port. Batteries supplied by Leclanché will provide the electrical power for the hybrid propulsion systems supplied by Kongsborg.

Power Dock ForElectric Ferries

The Fjords is one of Norway’s largest passenger ferry operators. Now it is building Legacy of the Fjords to provide zero emissions service to Oslo. “Oslo is very different from Flåm, but we believe it should demand the same degree of operational responsibility and environmental care — especially seeing as it is the EU Green Capital of the Year 2019,” says The Fjords CEO Rolf Sandvik. “We want to set new standards for the urban environment, as we have done for the natural one, and the silent-running, highly efficient, zero-emission Legacy of The Fjords will allow us to do so.”

The Legacy of the Fjords will be a carbon fiber catamaran capable of transporting 400 passengers with zero emissions. To meet the needs of its new green vessel, the company will utilize the innovative Power Dock, a floating device that will draw power from the local grid gradually while the ship is not in port, then recharge its 2.4 MWh battery in just 20 minutes, avoiding expensive power surges when the ship is in port. The Power Dock also stores consumables and waste products from the ship to keep the water around it free of pollution.

“This is a considerable investment but an important one,” Sandvik says. “From a growth perspective, it marks a new phase for the business, but more importantly it also shows other operators here and around the world that it is possible to operate with the utmost environmental care, while providing sensational passenger experiences, in cities as well as natural landscapes. It’s our hope we can provide a model for sustainable future transport — one that will inspire other responsible, visionary cities and owners to follow suit. That will be our legacy.”

Conversion Of FerriesTo Electric ⚡ PowerCompletedIn Sweden

Two ferries, the Tycho Brahe and the Aurora, transport more than 7.4 million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles a year across the 2.5 mile wide strait that separates Sweden and Denmark. Both of the 328-foot long ferries built in 1991 have now been converted from diesel power to electricity.

Each now has a 4.2 MWh battery system to power an electric propulsion system controlled by technology supplied by ABB, which has also designed and installed an innovative automated shoreside charging system. Using 3D laser scanning and a wireless communication link between the ferries and the shore, the vessels are connected robotically to charging equipment once they dock. The system minimizes connection time, leaving more time for charging the ferries’ batteries.

“We are delighted that the entire system is in place to support the emissions-free operations we envisaged from the outset,” said Johan Röstin, CEO of ForSea, the ferry operator. “This is a truly groundbreaking project and the work we have done with ABB will offer invaluable lessons for those following our lead. In shipping, innovation takes time and patience, and we always kept sight of the environmental benefits at stake.”

Largest Plug-In Hybrid Passenger Ship Under Construction

Color Hybrid, which will be the largest plug-in hybrid passenger ship in the world, is now under construction and is expected to enter revenue service in the summer of 2019. The 525-foot long vessel will carry 2,000 passengers and 500 vehicles on Norway’s popular Sandefjord to Strömstad route. While near land and in port, it will be powered by an electric propulsion system supplied by Siemens using batteries from Corvus.

Building the ship will be a boost to the local economy, with up to 500 area residents involved directly or indirectly in the construction phase. Color Line chief executive Trond Kleivdal says, “The determination and the ability to adjust course has been one of the key drivers in the development of the company. In about half a year, this magnificent hull will be a flagship for the natural environment and for innovation for the Norwegian maritime industry.”

Two Electric ⚡ FerriesFor Canada

Electric maritime news is not confined to Scandinavia. Canadian firm Shottel has been supplying diesel powertrains to commercial vessels in that country for generations. Now it has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards to supply electric propulsion to two new ferries for the ministry of transportation in Ontario. The new ships are expected to eliminate more than 15 million pounds of carbon emissions annually.

The Amherst Island ferry will accommodate 300 passengers and 42 cars. It is expect to enter service in 2020. The Wolfe Island ferry will handle 399 passengers and 75 cars. It is expected to be completed in 2021. Both will have a speed of 12 knots — the same as conventional ferries. Both will be equipped with four Schottel 550 kW propulsion units. An onboard diesel engine will provide backup power as needed.

“There has been close cooperation with Schottel in this project that aimed at identifying highly efficient future innovations and green technologies for sustainable power solutions,” said Damen Shipyards’ Leo Postma, area manager, Canada. “Schottel’s international network and propulsion knowledge that we have relied on for decades and we already have supported, made this project a comprehensive solution for the customer.”

Viking Completes Testing OfElectric LifeCraft System

Viking, the largest marine lifeboat and survivability company has completed heavy weather sea trial testing of its latest technology, the electrically powered LifeCraft system designed to replace traditional lifeboats on cruise ships. The system consists of four self-contained units intended to be combine the maneuverability of a life raft with the capacity of a life boat. Each system can accommodate up to 812 passengers.

Each of the four components has four electric motors — one at each corner — for superior maneuverability without the dangers associated with fossil fuels, including toxic exhaust emissions that may enter the rescue compartment during adverse sea conditions. The motors also require much less maintenance than conventional internal combustion engines.

The whole purpose of lifesaving equipment at sea is to perform under the most rigorous conditions. Recently, Viking subjected its LifeCraft system to testing in the most difficult conditions imaginable — waves up to 30 feet high and wind speeds greater than 40 miles per hour. It passed all the tests with flying colors.

“We launched the LifeCraft with the ship heading 3 knots up against the wind, exposing the system to the full force of the fierce weather in the most critical test phase,” says Viking vice president Niels Fraende. “We then demonstrated — with a simulated dead ship condition — that the fully loaded LifeCraft system provides a safe and stable means of evacuation on both the weather and lee sides for several hours.

“In addition, we quickly and successfully maneuvered the LifeCraft survival craft on both sides of the vessel to a safe distance, demonstrating their built-in flexibility to move rescue capacity to wherever it is most needed. Simulating station-keeping while waiting for rescue, we performed a 24-hour controlled drift test in the battering seas with no damage sustained to the survival craft.”

The LifeCraft system uses a novel chute escape system designed to transport landlubbers safely from the comfort of the dining deck to the waiting rescue craft far below in turbulent seas. All landed safely in the LifeCraft unit at the expected evacuation speed, dry and unbrushed by the elements the company reports.

The Take Away

Decarbonizing the transportation sector involves much more than getting people to drive electric cars. The diesel engine is the backbone of most freight and cargo operations, which in turn are the basis for virtually all commerce. In many parts of the world, ferries are an integral part of transportation systems just as much as subways are in urban areas.

Little by little and step by step, waterborne transportation is awakening to the revolution made possible by batteries and electric motors, bringing zero emissions transportation to more people in more places. Taken together, all of the news above represents an important advance in creating a more sustainable environment for us all.

Agelbert NOTE: If the Democrats are smart, they will push multiple bills thorugh the House of Representatives EVERY MONTH, which INCREASE the tax credit for EVs to $20,000 with NO CAP on the number of vehicles AND allow people with less than that amount of annual income tax to take the remaining credit in subsequent tax years. As it stands now with the $7,500 tax credit, only the wealthy who pay $7,500 or more a year in taxes can get the full tax credit because the law was stupidly (or cleverly 😈, if you are a fossil fueler) written to allow the credit to be used in only one tax year.

Yeah, the GOP 🦕🦖 Senate 🙉 🙊 would stop all these bills in their tracks. BUT, National attention would be publicized hither and yon to the FACT that subsidizing EVs so the average person can buy one would

1. IMPROVE the HEALTH of Americans by IMPROVING air quality for humans AND myriad species in the biosphere, AND

All the blocking and whining about "funding" by the Fossil Fuel Fascists 🐉🦕🦖 in the Senate would cast the GOP in the well deserved role of the enemy of we-the-people AND the Biosphere.

REMEMBER that the GOP Bastards, when they controlled the House of Representatives, tried 70 TIMES over EIGHT YEARS, to destroy the A.C.A. they deliberately, with malice aforethought, demonized as "Obamacare". If they could do that EVIL 70 TIMES, the least the Democratic Party can do is 70 attempts TO PASS $20,000 EV TAX CREDIT GOOD LEGISLATION.

The Fossil Fuelers 🦖 DID THE Clean Energy Inventionssuppressing, Climate Trashing, human healthdepleting CRIME, but since they have ALWAYS BEEN liars and conscience free crooks 🦀, they are trying to AVOID DOING THE TIME or PAYING THE FINE! Don't let them get away with it! Pass it on!

Posted by: AGelbert

Koch Industries is calling for the elimination of tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs), all while claiming that it does not oppose plug-in cars and inviting the elimination of oil and gas subsidies that the petroleum conglomerate and its industry peers receive.

Outgoing Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller introduced a bill in September that would lift the sales cap on electric vehicles eligible for a federal tax credit, and replace the cap with a deadline that would dictate when the credit would start being phased out.

Under the current tax credit for EVs, once a manufacturer sells 200,000 EVs in the U.S. the amount of the credit gets slashed in half, then halved again. The full credit amount is $7,500. Tesla has already hit the 200,000 cap and GM will soon reach it, so both companies would benefit from a tax credit extension via eliminating the sales cap. Heller's bill lifts the 200,000 vehicle limit and substitutes a phase-out period starting in 2022.

But the conservative senator's bill is facing opposition from the conservative billionaire Koch brothers.

In a letter to senators dated Oct. 24, Koch Industries lobbyist Philip Ellender urges opposition to the expansion of EV tax credits through 2022. Ellender claims that the tax credits primarily benefit wealthy consumers and that subsidization interferes with "innovation and consumer choice."

The letter cites two studies, each by a right-wing think tank. One study comes from the Pacific Research Institute, which has received fossil fuel funding—including more than $1.7 million from Koch-related foundations and $615,000 from ExxonMobil. The PRI study, "Costly Subsidies for the Rich: Quantifying the Subsidies Offered to Battery Electric Powered Cars," emphasizes that "the majority of the dollar benefits from energy and electric car subsidies are paid to tax filers in the higher income tax brackets."

The other study is from the Manhattan Institute, another "free market think tank" that takes in money from the Koch network and Exxon. The study paints a misleading picture of EVs and their subsidies.

In addition to citing biased studies by groups tied to Koch money, Ellender claims in the letter, "We do not oppose electric vehicles."

This sentiment echoes the company's 2016 advertorial, in which Koch Industries claimed to be "all for electric vehicles."

Ellender also claims that Koch Industries is against any and all energy subsidies, even ones that benefit the company. According to the letter:

Instead of expanding this subsidy for wealthy EV owners, Congress should eliminate it along with all other energy incentives—including eliminating any incentives given to us and our competitors where we may participate. We are focused on long-term value creation, not short-term windfalls.In reality, while Koch Industries is claiming publicly to support ending fossil fuel subsidies (along with EV and clean energy incentives), Koch lobbyists have long worked to ensure that the petroleum industry continues to get subsidized.

As Koch vs. Clean previously pointed out, "In a detailed 2011 report on Koch Industries, the Center for Public Integrity wrote: 'Oil is the core of the Koch business empire, and the company's lobbyists and officials have successfully fought to preserve the industry's tax breaks and credits.' The report documented that Koch lobbyists have worked to preserve billions of dollars in oil industry subsidies, including the Section 199 manufacturing tax deduction and the 'last-in, first out' accounting rule."

In fact, according to the International Business Times, Koch Industries has itself directly secured subsidies totaling more than $195 million.

The Koch network also lobbied for the Trump tax cuts that became law late last year. The corporate tax cut is not specific to energy, but it benefits giant corporations including Big Oil and Koch Industries nonetheless. Americans for Tax Fairness estimated that the Kochs would save more than $1 billion just this year from the tax cut—a significant windfall for a corporate behemoth that claims, "Weare focused on long-term value creation, not short-term windfalls."

Agelbert NOTE: If the Democrats are smart, they will push multiple bills thorugh the House of Representatives EVERY MONTH, which INCREASE the tax credit for EVs to $20,000 with NO CAP on the number of vehicles AND allow people with less than that amount of annual income tax to take the remaining credit in subsequent tax years. As it stands now with the $7,500 tax credit, only the wealthy who pay $7,500 or more a year in taxes can get the full tax credit because the law was stupidly (or cleverly 😈, if you are a fossil fueler) written to allow the credit to be used in only one tax year.

Yeah, the GOP 🦕🦖 Senate 🙉 🙊 would stop all these bills in their tracks. BUT, National attention would be publicized hither and yon to the FACT that subsidizing EVs so the average person can buy one would

1. IMPROVE the HEALTH of Americans by IMPROVING air quality for humans AND myriad species in the biosphere, AND

2. Help mitigate Climate Change, making it COST EFFECTIVE.

All the blocking and whining about "funding" by the Fossil Fuel Fascists 🐉🦕🦖 in the Senate would cast the GOP in the well deserved role of the enemy of we-the-people AND the Biosphere.

REMEMBER that the GOP Bastards, when they controlled the House of Representatives, tried 70 TIMES over EIGHT YEARS, to destroy the A.C.A. they deliberately, with malice aforethought, demonized as "Obamacare". If they could do that EVIL 70 TIMES, the least the Democratic Party can do is 70 attempts TO PASS $20,000 EV TAX CREDIT GOOD LEGISLATION.

The Fossil Fuelers 🦖 DID THE Clean Energy Inventionssuppressing, Climate Trashing, human healthdepleting CRIME, but since they have ALWAYS BEEN liars and conscience free crooks 🦀, they are trying to AVOID DOING THE TIME or PAYING THE FINE! Don't let them get away with it! Pass it on!